Hidden Gems Archives - Behind the Scenes NYC (BTSNYC)

People moving to New York normally visit the city to get a taste of the Big Apple’s famous sites and masterpieces. But most people miss out on the real excitement. So today we’ll share with you 8 things you can do in New York that will make your trip special.

New York has several secret treasures that require some digging to know them. After checking off all the must-see touristy spots – which are countless, now it’s time to explore what NYC is really about!

Whether you are visiting or planning to relocate there, there are so many hidden germs in New York you need to explore.

And, as you all know, we are ALL about off-the-beaten-path spots to make your time in NYC even more special and juicy!

Below are 8 things you can do in New York that will make your trip so special.

#1 Tour the Whispering Gallery

Curiosities City Secrets Things You Can Do in New York City Whispering Gallery Grand Central Terminal — Credit: Courtesy

The Whispering Gallery, inside Grand Central Station, is among the most popular hidden treasures in New York.

It is also known as the most romantic secret treasure you can visit in New York.

It is constructed in a circular wall to allow whispered communication from all parts of the internal sides.

The mysterious walls allow the sound to travel across the round ceiling.

Thus, when two individuals stand at slanting arches, they can clearly hear each other’s whispers. To ensure you do not miss the true excitement of New York, you need to visit the Whispering Gallery.

We also offer an amazing tour called “Secret Behind The Scenes Grand Central Terminal Tour”, where you’ll be able to have the full story behind this iconic spot!

#2 Take a Ferry ride to Governors Island

Curiosity City Secrets Things You Can Do in New York City Governor's Island — Credit: Courtesy

Another great site worth visiting is Governors Island.

The island in New York Harbor has a rich history and is full of family activities. Whether you are touring New York or a newcomer, it is a place worth your time.

The island used to be a military outpost for centuries.

By taking the ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn, you will enjoy a trip around the island. It is a great place to be if you want to get away from the city’s noise and stress.

Governors Island is popular with New Yorkers during summer Weekends.

But, if you visit the place during weekdays, you might have the island all alone.

You can decide to rent bikes, have a picnic, or choose to explore the island on foot. The Island is one of the hidden charms in New York.

Oh, just a quick bonus tip: The Staten Island Ferry is one of the best FREE attractions in NYC…and the view of the Statue of Liberty and of downtown Manhattan is priceless!

#3 Take a trip to the Elevated Acre

Curiosities City Secrets Things You Can Do in New York City Elevated Acre 55 Water Street Financial District — Credit: Untapped Cities by Sarah Patt

If you are planning to move to New York City, hiring commercial movers will make the process stress-free.

They will ensure your office or home belongings reach unspoiled.

Once you have settled, you need to take a trip to the Elevated Acre!

As the name suggests, the Elevated Acre is a green space on an elevated level – 55 Water Street.

It is an outstanding place to escape the chaos of the busy city streets. It has several unique features for couples and people looking for a quiet getaway.

#4 Visit the Smallpox Hospital, on Roosevelt Island

Curiosities City Secrets Things You Can Do in New York City Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital — Credit: @BehindTheScenesNYC

Very few New Yorkers know or visit the Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island.

These are ruins of Renwick Hospital that housed the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital. It was the center of smallpox treatment in New York City in the 1950s.

In 1975, the building was declared a city landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The building is being renovated and people visit the area to catch the aged beauty of the building.

Thus, if you are visiting New York, this might be a nice place to tour before it is turned into a different building.

#5 Explore the Secret Gardens of Rockefeller Center

620 Loft Garden Rockefeller Center Garden Rooftop Terrace Cathedral of St John The Divine Saks Fifth Avenue NYC Behind the Scenes NYC Credit Untapped Cities — Credit: Untapped Cities by Michelle Young

The Rockefeller Center has become a hotspot for travelers and newcomers.

Although it might not be flooded like other famous sites, it is an area worth visiting.

When you are at the site, you notice the ice-skating rink, the great Christmas tree, and other popular features.

If you are new to New York, explore the Secret Gardens of Rockefeller Center to see the good-looking private garden and the unbelievable views of St. Patrick Cathedral.

#6 Take a tour of the Old City Hall Subway Stop

Take a tour to the Old City Hall Subway Stop. The old subway stop was an energetic station in the ancient days.

However, it was shut down due to its failure to be renovated in 1945. It received a low amount of traffic then and it could not be rebuilt into a modern subway.

Even though the beautiful ancient station is not open to the public, there are guided tours. You can check the schedules to be part of the visitors touring the station.

Here, you will learn a few things about the Old City Hall Subway Stop and more about the early stations.

If you want some help from the Pro’s, we also have another amazing tour called “Underground New York Subway Tour”, where you’ll learn everything about the incredible New York’s underground subway system!

#7 Learn more about The Berlin Wall

Curiosities City Secrets Things you can do in New York City Berlin Wall by Naked Apartments — Credit: Naked Apartments

To learn more about the Berlin Wall, you need to take a look at a piece of the Berlin Wall in New York City.

Although some people mistake the historic art for just another piece of art, the masterpiece is done by German artists and consists of concrete slabs of the original Berlin Wall.

#8 A visit to Alexander Hamilton’s Grave

Another off-beaten-path spot in New York City is the gravesite of Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth.

You will find their graves at Trinity Church Cemetery.

Many guests visit the site to pay their last respect. Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of the United States.

There are many other famous figures in the Trinity Church cemetery.

Thus, it is a great place to visit with family and friends. As you visit the cemetery, make sure to enter the church to see the gorgeous interior of church.

Credits: All on images
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New York is atop many travelers’ bucket lists, and for many good reasons. Today we’re going to show you how to take stunning photos of New York City. You’ll not only capture memorable moments, but also make your social media channels overflow with likes!

NYC only is it one of the world’s leading metropolises for art, fashion, food and theater, but it’s also one of the greatest cities to photograph. So, we’re here to give you valuable tips on how to take stunning photos of New York City, find unique spots to shoot and use the right gear!

If you happen to be an avid photographer and are visiting NYC for the first time, you may be overwhelmed with the creative possibilities available when roaming around the city, right?

Whether for the simple pleasure of taking photos, or for a commercial venture, here are some tips for taking stunning shots of the Big Apple:

Do Your Research

There’s no doubt that winging it works during photo walks, but if you want to make the most out of your experience photographing New York City, it’s always best to plan ahead.

When planning your travel itinerary, take the time to do research on the spots you want to take pictures of. The biggest advantage of this is how much time you will save getting to different areas.

If you don’t research, you may end up backtracking a lot and reducing the number of scenic spots you get to visit. Commuting in New York is easy but can be very time consuming.

If you don’t know where to start, you start with popular spots that both tourists and photographers alike frequent.

Look at visiting the iconic Bethesda Terrace located in Central Park, or perhaps the High Line, which is an old abandoned rail trail on the west side of Manhattan that was renovated years ago into a fantastic spot to explore.

To optimize your time, try to divide your explorations per neighborhood, so you don’t keep bouncing from one end of the city to the other. From here you can easily plan your next move.

Bring the Right Gear

It goes without saying that you need the proper gear in order to take genuinely stunning shots.

While mobile photography is becoming more and more popular these days due to the increasingly advanced cameras built into smartphones, nothing beats the quality you get from using a professional camera such as a DSLR.

This is because there is wide array of accessories, especially lenses, for traditional cameras that will vary the type of photos you can take.

Adorama’s professional photography gear includes DSLR cameras and shows how lenses can range from 18mm to 200mm, which allow photographers to take photos from different distances.

You can also select specialist macro lenses that allows you to sharp, detailed, close-up photos of small subjects (think the various plants found in Central Park), while wide-angle ones are ideal for taking images of scenic landscapes like the Brooklyn Bridge.

Experiment with Angles

Post-production helps with elevating your shots from good to great, but you need to start with something that’s already beautiful to begin with.

When shooting, writer Anthony Andranik Moumjian recommends taking as many shots as you can of your subject at every angle you can creatively imagine (which is why it is best to bring a wide range of lenses).

Unless you live in the city, you will only have a limited time to photograph New York. So, taking many shots at enough angles and with enough volume raises your chances of achieving “the shot” at every place you visit.

New York City is a beauty on its own and is “easy” to photograph, but finding a unique angle will definitely set you apart from all other photographers.

Visit lesser-known spots

Popular destinations are popular for a reason. But, if you truly want a unique perspective in your photos, you may want to look into exploring lesser-known destinations in the city. And, that’s totally our expertise and up our alley…as you probably already know!

For example, seeking out hidden gems such as the 620 Loft and Gallery on the roof of the Rockefeller Center are some of the spots we love best! This will provide you will a skyline perspective that many visitors miss out on.

You can also visit hidden gems like Freeman Alley, where you can find a quaint restaurant with fairy lights and a relatively new speakeasy bar, or the Freedom Tunnel where you can come across some interesting graffiti.

There is no city like New York, and while you may think it is impossible to take unique photos of the Big Apple, with a little research, the right equipment, and the desire to seek out hidden gems you will take some truly stunning photos.

Be sure to share with us your findings on the comments below! We’d love to see the places you explored and what you thought about them!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Image by Jeff Glovsky from Pixabay

Tag Archives: Hidden Gems

8 Things You Can Do in New York That Will Make Your Trip Special